Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Caramelized Seitan



On my quest to rename bizarre sounding vegan food, I would like to set my sights on seitan.

Pronounced sort of like this Satan (on the left), but with an emphasis on the “a.” Miserable name for an awesome protein packed food.

Seitan is wheat gluten that can be made into many different mock meats (like Tofurkey) or just used on its own. It is also really common in vegan or vegetarian Asian restaurants and is most often used as “mock duck” or “mock chicken.”

I just like to think of it as delightful.

This recipe is from the holiday issue of Veg News Magazine and is for all of you folks that love SWEET and SAVORY.

It is like a dessert and dinner all rolled into one… Who doesn’t love that!

See some more photos and the recipe after the jump!

Garlicky Caramelized Seitan

2 tablespoons vegan margarine (Earth Balance)
1 teaspoon Olive Oil
¼ cup brown sugar
1 clove garlic (thinly sliced)
½ teaspoon chopped ginger
1 cup seitan, ¼ inch diced
1 cup chopped broccoli
Garnish: chopped scallions and sesame seeds

In a medium pan over medium heat, heat margarine and olive oil. Once hot, mix in brown sugar. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, then add garlic, ginger, and seitan, carefully coating with the hot sugar mixture. Cook seitan on each side, mixing and flipping often to prevent burning for 8-10 minutes.

Once the seitan is crisp and caramelized, toss in broccoli to steam. Add salt; remove from heat after 1 minute, and plate, topping with scallions and sesame seeds.

Chubby Vegan Notes
*I did not dice the seitan; I just used an 8 oz. box of cubed seitan. Either way is fine.
*After you add the broccoli, cut the heat to really low and cover for about a minute or two; this will help the broccoli steam a little better.
*This is definitely a sweet and savory recipe and when it cools it is a little sticky (like caramel). Some of it may stick to your teeth, just a warning!
*Serving this with roasted potatoes (as mentioned in the magazine) makes this a great meal for two!
Earth Balance and Oil
Who doesn't love brown sugar and earth balance?
Adding cubed seitan with the sugar mixture..
Another angle...
Add in the broccoli and let it steam for a minute or two.
Served with redskin potatoes! Bring it...


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